Driven Pallet with Integrated Motor and Drive Wheel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing material transport mechanisms are often expensive and bulky, causing damage to pallets during lifting and potentially leading to cross-contamination in manufacturing and warehouse operations.

Innovation Solution

A driven loadable construct with an upper and lower surface, equipped with at least one drive wheel, motor, power source, and controller, allowing for wireless control and movement, which can be retrofitted or manufactured to combine support and storage capabilities with transport functions while minimizing damage and contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional transport devices (pallet jacks, fork-lifting trucks) are used to move pallets, then transport capability is provided, but the devices are expensive, bulky, and can cause damage to pallets during lifting and alignment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransport capabilityVSAvoiddevice bulk and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the transport function with the pallet structure itself by integrating a motor and drive wheel assembly directly onto the pallet. This merging eliminates the need for separate transport devices like pallet jacks or fork-lifting trucks, reducing device complexity and cost while maintaining transport capability. The pallet becomes self-propelled through the integrated motor (50) and drive wheel (38) assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pallet is designed to transport itself by integrating the propulsion system directly onto the pallet structure. The motor (50) and drive wheel (38) assembly enables the pallet to move autonomously without requiring external transport devices, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for bulky, expensive external equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Speed

If lifting mechanisms are used to elevate pallets, then vertical transport is achieved, but damage can occur to pallet decks and connecting members during alignment and lifting

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical movement capabilityVSAvoidpallet damage during lifting

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical lifting system (forks, tines, or lifting mechanisms that physically contact and elevate pallets) with a drive wheel system that rolls the pallet horizontally. The motor (50) drives the wheel (38) to move the pallet along the floor surface, eliminating the need for mechanical lifting and thereby preventing damage to pallet decks and connecting members during the transport process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional pallets are used for material storage and transport, then support and storage capabilities are provided, but cross-contamination can occur in manufacturing and warehouse operations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport and storage capabilityVSAvoidcross-contamination risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates a self-contained propulsion system (motor (50) and drive wheel (38)) onto individual pallets, creating segmented, independent transport units. Each pallet can be controlled separately, allowing for isolated transport of materials between different zones or processes. This segmentation prevents cross-contamination by enabling discrete, controlled movement of each pallet without shared contact with other materials or surfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The drive wheel (38) acts as an intermediary between the motor (50) and the floor surface, enabling the pallet to move without direct mechanical contact with lifting devices or other pallets. This intermediary rolling contact reduces the risk of cross-contamination compared to traditional lifting mechanisms that may cause materials to contact floors, walls, or other surfaces during vertical movement and transfer.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides a cost-effective, efficient, and damage-reducing method for transporting loads, enabling precise control and extended operation without the need for frequent recharging, thus enhancing operational efficiency and reducing contamination risks.

Implementation Method 1

at least one motor operatively coupled to each of the at least one drive wheel

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The power source may comprise a battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery electrochemical reaction: Battery (electricity)

Data Source

PatentUS9656700B2Driven load-bearing system

Publication Date: 2017.05.23 EIDELSON ARTHUR

AI summary

A hand-or voice-operated controller system for a driven loadable construct has a plurality of control circuit receiving inputs from a directional control and connection circuitry for communicating signals from the control circuit to at least one motor disposed on the loadable construct and to which at least one drive wheel disposed on the loadable construct is electrically coupled.